Instant impact: Hours after signing 1-year deal, Houser fires 6 scoreless innings

CHICAGO – When Edgar Quero first perused the planned White Sox lineup late Monday for what turned out to be a 1-0 win over the Mariners Tuesday night at a rainy and cold Rate Field, the catcher didn’t recognize the name next to the pitcher’s slot.

Adrian Houser was new to everyone, as prior to Tuesday’s contest, the Chicago White Sox agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the right-handed pitcher. But for Quero, who is a rookie behind the plate, it quickly went from “nice to know you” to “let’s get to work.”

“We talked pregame, did the whole pitcher-catcher meeting,” said Houser after throwing six scoreless innings in his White Sox debut. “Just gave him my kind of spiel, how I pitch, how I like to set up and stuff like that. He did well for the first time not knowing anything and on the fly, so it was a good night.”

“Yeah, we talked a little bit about it before the game with [pitching coach Ethan Katz],” Quero said. “We have a plan. We did it up really good.”

Houser went 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA, .214 opposing average and 37 strikeouts over nine appearances (eight starts) with Triple-A Round Rock in the Texas organization, before being released on May 15. Houser actually had an opt-out on that date, but exercised it without a new team having called.

He felt good on the mound and joined the White Sox soon after. His 90-pitch, two-strikeout effort was his first big league start since May 21, 2024, with the Mets at Cleveland, and he will join the rotation moving forward, according to manager Will Venable.

“These opportunities don't come very often, so you don't want to fumble it. You want to be able to go out there and win games for your team and do everything you can to stay up here,” Houser said. “Pumped, excited, all the feelings"

“[He] attacked the zone. Two-seam and four-seam fastball were really good,” Venable said. “Was able to get some chase with the secondary stuff, and then a couple of big double plays there.”

Over eight Major League seasons with Milwaukee (2015, ’18-23) and the Mets (2024), the 6-foot-3, 240-pound hurler has a 32-39 record with a 4.21 ERA, one shutout and 484 strikeouts in 152 career outings (104 starts). Houser’s arrival into the rotation sends right-hander Bryse Wilson back to the bullpen.

Wilson, who was Tuesday’s originally scheduled starter, has a 6.62 ERA over four starts and a 5.28 ERA in 10 relief appearances for the White Sox this season.

To make room for Houser on the 40-man roster, the White Sox designated right-hander Yoendrys Gómez for assignment.

Houser’s first win with the White Sox (15-34), who ended a five-game losing streak and avoided the worst 49-game start in franchise history, didn’t come without a little drama.

Seattle loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, with left-handed reliever Cam Booser issuing a four-pitch walk to J.P. Crawford to load them up. Booser struck out pinch-hitter Mitch Garver looking at a 3-2 sweeper and then retired Julio Rodríguez on a fly ball to center fielder Luis Robert Jr.

It was Rodriguez who hit a grand slam off the same Booser on Monday. Well, mostly, the same Booser -- just without most of his lengthy beard.

“After last night, I thought we should change it up a little bit. We’ll see moving forward but yeah it worked for now,” said a smiling Booser of his shave for success. “I’m thankful Will had the trust to go right back to me and it’s kind of funny how the game works. Same situation, back-to-back nights, facing the same hitters.”

Jordan Leasure earned the save to finish off Houser’s journey -- one that began in Round Rock, stopped at his home in Tulsa briefly, then got to Chicago in time for a rain delay that pushed first pitch back an hour and a half.

“Being able to get back up here and help to contribute to the team and help to win tonight is really nice,” Houser said. “So hopefully I can keep it going for the guys."